I’ve been waiting for months to share our big news, and today is finally the day… We’re having a baby! Anel and I couldn’t be more excited to start this next chapter of our lives, especially given our struggle in getting here. After 18 difficult and frustrating months, our entire lives changed in early November when a test finally (finally!) read as positive.

It was an amazing day, but also a scary one. The other two times I had been pregnant, I miscarried very early in the process. We almost couldn’t consider the possibility that this one would make it, because we didn’t want to get our hopes up only to experience yet another loss. The first few weeks were spent walking on eggshells, and barely mentioning the tiny miracle growing inside me. Every day since then, it’s become more and more real. After we had our first ultrasound, I finally believed that a baby, our baby, was in there. After the second one, I believed that this one would stick.

Over the last few weeks, as my body began to change shape physically, it only made everything feel more real. Even though I’ve moved past the initial shock and fear, I still wake up in the night sometimes, terrified that something is wrong, or convinced that I ate the wrong thing and hurt the baby. It’s irrational but also normal according to my doula. But for the most part, I feel happy, excited, blessed… and quite large!

We’re having a baby and I’m now four months along. I was able to go this long without telling you guys. You have no idea how many times I wanted to! But given our history, we agreed to keep it a secret as long as we possibly could. It’s becoming harder to hide the bump, so the proverbial beans are being spilled.

While I plan to keep pregnancy-related posts to about once a week going forward, this week I have so much news to share with you that I hope you bare with me! Over the next few days, I’ll give you a full overview of my first trimester (Spoiler alert: It was not easy.), and what we did at the end of those 18 months that finally worked.

But for today, I’ll answer some of the most commonly asked questions that I get when I tell people I’m pregnant.

How far along are you? 17 weeks

What is your due date? July 18th (Only 9 days after my own birthday)

Do you know the sex yet? We do! I’ll be revealing the gender next week. Any guesses? The only hint I’ll give you is that it is the opposite of what I thought it was.

Any cravings? All of the cravings! A lot of starchy things like bread, bagels, pizza, etc. My previously gluten-free lifestyle has gone out the window. I also crave a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, specifically blueberries and tomatoes, not food I would normally want to chow down on in the winter, but what baby wants, baby gets.

Any aversions? In my first trimester I could pretty much only eat crackers, seltzer, toast, and soup. Now I’m almost back to normal, but still have an aversion to meat of all kind, most of the time. It’s hard because the baby needs a lot of protein, so I’m trying my best. To supplement, I’m taking beef liver pills daily and adding collagen protein to my smoothies.

Have you thought of names yet? We have a running list. We’re not planning to share the name until the baby is born but who knows, that might change. I tend to overshare!

How do you feel? Now that I’m in my second trimester, I feel a lot more like myself but I get really tired easily. I’m pretty much in bed by 9pm every night of the week. I’ve realized that I can’t do the things I used to do. If I workout one day, that’s my limit. I can’t be running around doing errands or having a busy day. It’s frustrating to not be able to accomplish all I want to do, but I’m slowly getting used to it.

The first trimester, on the other hand, was another story… I’ll share more on that later this week but let’s just say this baby has given me a run for my money and it’s not even born yet! I learned a lot along the way about how to deal with the nausea and exhaustion, and can’t wait to share my tips.

How is Boots reacting? He has completely changed around me! He’s uber protective now, and won’t let anyone he doesn’t know get near me. He’ll completely block me with his body and bark and anyone who comes close. It’s kind of annoying but also really sweet. On my really bad first trimester days, he would come and sit on my lap or right next to me until I felt better. Every single time. He definitely knows something’s up, and might even sense that we’re having a baby, but I think he’s going to have the shock of his life in July when he’s no longer the only baby in the house.

How will this change your blog? I’ve added a “motherhood” section to my nav bar and will start posting weekly about pregnancy and baby related topics. That being said, I’m not going to be a full-fledged mommy blogger. I’m going to continue posting outfits, recipes, healthy lifestyle advice, and decor (hello nursery!). But at the end of the day, this blog is about my life and being pregnant is a huge part of my life at the moment, and I have a feeling this baby will be as well.

I want to thank my amazing photographer Stephanie for taking these adorable shots, we love them so much! Another big thanks to Eva for lending us your beautifully bright studio space. My dress is from Club Monaco (on sale!) and is not a maternity dress.

Comments

Nanu said:

OH MY GOD! I don’t know why but I knew it! This last few posts I just had this feeling that you were expecting. I’m over-the-moon excited for you and your husband. You are freacking glowing Julia!!! I’m sure you two are going to be the most loving and wonderful parents ever. Damn I’m so emotional! What a wonderful way to start my day.
Sending you both all my love and best wishes 🙂
Kisses from Argentina.
Nanu.

I am so incredibly happy for you! I struggled for nearly two years with infertility so I understand the joy you must be feeling right now.I have loved following your journey and cant wait to read all about it! Sending lots of love and prayers to you over the next several months! <3

Congrats!!!! I knew it, I have a great pregnancy intuition!! ENjoy the 2nd trimester your energy will come back and it will be amazing, I am in the 3rd trimester now and I just want this baby out so the insomnia will go away and I can have my body back!

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I had the total meat aversion too. I couldn’t even watch commercials featuring meat (this was before the DVR when we still had to endure them). Strangely I could eat tuna. It did pass eventually.

I’m over the moon for you I’m practically crying! You are due on my birthday! I have an almost 15 month old boy and I cannot wait to hear all about your pregnancy and ALL of the baby posts. Congratulations! This has made my day!

OMG! As soon as I saw your instagram post I rushed to my computer to write to you a note! I am soon happy for you. I know how desired this little baby and how you and Anel have been easy to welcome a little one into your life! It’s so fantastic and you must enjoy so much being able to share the news now. It’s the best feeling in the world! As a mum of 3 I can only tell you, your life is about to be turned upside down, it will be hard work at times (let’s not pretend everything is always rosy!) but the love you will feel when your little one is born will be like no other. It’s been an amazing journey for us and my 3 little ones have brought the best out of me and I have discovered I had a so much patience and unconditional love inside me (which I had no idea I had). Ask for advice from us sometimes, I would love to reassure you about certain things. There is a lot of things which are not always openly discussed. Sending you 2 and a half lots of love from London, Julie xx

SO incredibly happy for you, Julia! What an amazing and beautiful experience for you and Anel. And you look wonderful- truly glowing! Wishing you lots of love, health, and good vibes these next few months as you await for baby to arrive! Can’t wait to follow along and watch your family continue to grow. 🙂

Oh my goodness congratulations!!! I am so happy for you. Your miscarriage post was heart wrenching. My mother has gone through a few miscarriages and ended up having 4 kids, so I know that this must be an incredible light at the end of the tunnel. Enjoy this amazing process and I’m excited to watch it all unfold. Congrats to you and Anel!!!! xoxo

I am so thrilled to hear this! I’ve been following for a while and loved when you posted about your struggles. I can’t wait to hear about everything, since I follow a lot of your product suggestions anyway! Congrats!!

Congratulations! Though I haven’t been a regular reader for very long, I’ve followed along on social media channels for a while. After hearing about your previous struggles, your announcement brought tears to my eyes. I’m so happy for you and your husband and can’t wait to follow along and “meet” your little one!

Congratulations to you both – and Boots! Such a journey, you’ve been so brave throughout this and it’s all paying off now. It’s been a long time since I was last pregnant (my youngest is 14 now!) so all my advice is a bit out of date but one think that never goes out of style is to make sure you get the rest you need. If people offer to help, take it. I tried to do everything myself in my first pregnancy and wore myself out. The second time around, I took everyone up on their offers! Really wish I had done that the first time. Take care and can’t wait to follow along on this next chapter. xx, Rox-Anne Celebratingthislife.ca

I don’t think that advice will EVER go out of date! It’s been really hard for me to accept help and rest, but I’m learning over the course of this pregnancy that you’re totally right. I need to slow way down and thats ok.

Congratulations!!! I am 25 weeks pregnant so I am literally crying happy tears for you, I can’t help it, lol! I’m so excited to hear all of your thoughts on pregnancy, maternity clothes, nursery decorations, motherhood, etc. etc. My pit-mix puppy has had the same reaction. He DEFINITELY knows something is up (has known all along) and is super protective of me! Congrats again!!! 🙂

Oh Julia! I’m so happy for you! You are such a wonderful person and your blog is a spot of light and happiness every day. I’m so glad you are finally getting to start this journey that you’ve wanted so much.

Oh my goodness, I’m SO incredibly happy for you guys, Julia! I know it’s not been an easy journey, but it will make you enjoy every second! Can’t wait for all of the updates! Congrats on this exciting new adventure! Xo

Congratulations!!! So happy to hear the good news! And yes being nervous is completely normal! I was the ENTIRE two pregnancies I had after my miscarriage and i ended up with 2 very healthy kids. I can say as a mom of a boy and a girl they are both so special so either a boy or a girl is going to be TONS of fun!!! Enjoy every minute (even though I never like the pregnancy part)- can’t wait to see all the future fun you will have!

Congratulations, Julia!! I’m so happy for you. I was hoping to see a happy announcement like this from you soon! Your miscarriage posts were some of the ones I read as I was coping with my own loss, and I’m thrilled to see you’re on the other side of it.

So many congratulations! I’ve followed you through your infertility journey and you’ve helped me manage mine tremendously! I know you must be over the moon to watch your dream finally come true. I wish you a healthy happy baby that brings you guys so much joy!

Congratulations, Julia!! This is amazing news, and I can’t imagine how thrilled you two are with this news. You will be incredible parents! I’m also pregnant with my first and only 12 days behind you- I’m due on 7/30! Excited to follow along with you!!!

Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog for a bit but haven’t commented yet but just wanted to say as I sit here with my 9 week old I look forward to your motherhood posts when the little one gets here!

Fantastic! Congratulations! It’s such a strange, wonderful, awesome, scary time! I’m sure you will try to enjoy all Of It! Don’t worry about posting too much about pregnancy and then new mommy-hood. I think everyone will understand and enjoy hearing your perspective. I’ll bet many of your followers are new and/or soon to be mothers themselves and your (ahem) older readers may have good tips and can help you also! Your village is large and here for you.

I am so very happy for you and Anel! I have been reading your blog and following you on Instagram for quite a while now, and know how much you both wanted a baby. My favorite types of blogs are lifestyle blogs and I am so excited to follow along with your pregnancy. I am due 7/30, so right behind you!! Wishing you a very happy & healthy pregnancy.

Julia huge congratulations to you & Anel on your wonderful news. As a longtime reader of your blog, I have taken great interest in reading your posts about your fertility journey & I’m delighted that it’s all working out well for you both. Much love & happiness to the three of you xx

Congratulations!!! I’ve been looking forward to the day you would share this good news with us after the heart ache you have been through. I can’t wait to read about your journey. I’m actually due next month with my first! 🙂

Sooooo exciting, congrats!!!! Your openness about your journey has been so touching and inspiring (you can see that just by reading the comments on this post). Such an exciting new adventure you’re about to go on 🙂
(I just realized that I’ve been reading your blog for years, however this is the first comment I’m leaving you – feels appropriate <3 )

There are so many things that I want to say, but most of all, Congratulations. I have followed your journey and your honesty provides so much solace for people. I am thrilled for you, Anel and Boots. Wishing you so much love on this adventure, Julia. You truly deserve all of the good stuff.

OMG!! CONGRATULATION!!! I am 14 weeks today (Due aug 11) and recently have been thinking about how I’m not going to fit into these fabulous clothes anymore and feeling sad, but now I am more than excited! Not only is it nice to know that someone as put together as you shared such a difficult first trimester experience (the worst) but also all of the challenges that even led up to that point. I was convinced I was the only one but I showed this to my husband and he was like “See!! I told you!” Anyways many happy congratulations and am so excited to be able to share a similar journey along with you! Sending you all the best!

Congratulations! I have been reading along for a while now. A a stripe lover and mother of a 5y old daughter who loves polka dots, I am guessing (solely based on that photo of the onesie) that you will have a girl… ? Best wishes from Germany

Congratulations! Love your announcement and your adorable bump. I randomly wondered a few blog posts ago if maybe you might be expecting!! Your announcement is bitter sweet for me, but also makes me hopeful. Unfortunately, my husband and I lost our first pregnancy in November and I would have been due the beginning of July. I turned to your posts while going through my miscarriage and now I’m excited to follow along with your pregnancy. Hopefully, I’ll be following in your footsteps soon!

I’m so so sorry to hear about your loss. I know what you’re going through, but I also know (KNOW) that your baby will come to you when the time is right. I hated when people said that to me, but now I understand it fully. THIS is my baby, and I can’t imagine it any other way. Sending you so much love and light!

I’m so happy for you! I can tell you, as someone who was once in your place, you will never stop thinking of your little one as your miracle, even when they are 11 years old, like my girl 🙂 My very best to you for your pregnancy & birth experience!

My heart is so full for you. Long time reader, seldom commenter, I remember your miscarriage struggle and I felt so sad for you and your husband. I have a STRONG inkling it’s a boy based on your cravings, but we shall see. (; Again, I am so very happy for you and I wish you the smoothest pregnancy! <3http://www.accordingtokiki.net